Sheffield Wednesday fans to sing for dying dad

Alex Evans

The Star’s heartfelt plea has gone viral backing a man’s request to Sheffield Wednesday fans to sing for his dying dad in what could be his last home game on Monday.

Chris Eales posted online asking Wednesdayites to sing for his dad Johnny Eales at the game at Hillsborough against Charlton for the wheelchair-bound lifelong fan.

Fans are preparing to belt into song for Jonny on the 12-minute mark on Monday’s game, and Chris is calling on as many people as possible to sing.

The Star asked Twitter and Facebook users to make this happen by sharing the hashtag #onejohnnyeales, though many have also used #onejonnyeales

And it’s reached more than 33,000 people alone on The Star’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sheffieldstar, with many Twitter followers also tweeting the call - which now looks almost certain to happen.

Chris says doctors do not expect his dad to be around for next season - but he wants to stress his father does not have terminal cancer, as some social networkers believe. He has a serious heart complaint and other conditions, which means he would not survive surgey.

He has been overwhelmed by the response on Facebook and Twitter.

Chris posted on Facebook: “I will be bringing my dad on Monday for what will most probably be his last ever game, he is now in a wheelchair and we will be in the very right hand corner of the north stand disabled area.

“My dad is a real true Wednesdayite and has supported since the early 60s and despite living in Coventry has held a season ticket for over four decades following the team all over.

“I would love for the crowd to sing his name just even for half a minute

“For a dying owl to hear his name sung by the kop at what could well be his last game would just really be amazing for him.

“I am asking if as many fans as possible do this on 12 minutes please.”

* So come on football fans, not just Wednesdayites, we need everyone to be tweeting and promoting this on Facebook - let’s give #onejohnnyeales the biggest cheer he’s ever heard at Hillsborough on Monday.